And he believes the industry could flourish after a Yes vote with government support in line with that available to manufacturers in France, Canada and China, where he owns some of his global empire of 90 engineering businesses.

McColl’s initial investment will be around £8million. And with a pot of £420million in his Clyde Blowers Capital empire, he anticipates having up to £50million available for investment in the business – “providing, of course, there is commercial viability”.

He said: “I have no doubts about the yard and its future potential, and the good sense of making such an acquisition in a Scotland that could soon be independent.

“I’m very encouraged by the opportunities offered by possible independence. We would have the levers of power necessary to support industry – in research and development, and in bonding support to back new projects.

“These are not easily available at present. But I believe they will be when Scotland controls all it earns and is not dependent on block grants from a Westminster government that doesn’t necessarily have our best interests as their priority.

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“Scotland’s economy has great strengths, not least in manufacturing. But we need to strengthen those areas to compete more effectively in world markets.

“We need the economic levers to do that – the levers that give the Scottish Parliament real job-creating powers. None of the proposals from the No Camp would give the Parliament real job-creating powers.

“We need to rebalance the economy towards more manufacturing and away from London-centric activities.

“We need to be able to provide Scottish solutions for Scottish problems, where it’s easier to get all the necessary people around one table quickly.”